Belpre council discusses ordinances, resolutions

Wayne Towner

Staff Reporter

wtowner@newsandsentinel.com

BELPRE — Belpre City Council is taking action on a variety of housekeeping resolutions and ordinances and plans to discuss a proposed deed transfer.

At Monday’s meeting, council approved the first reading of the annual resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission, authorizing the necessary tax levies certifying them to the county auditor.

Council member Susan Abdella said the resolution, which requires two more readings, is a housekeeping action required by council each year.

Council also approved the first reading of a resolution regarding the 2019 supplemental appropriations budget. Abdella said amendments are expected to be made before the third reading is brought before council after questions are answered for the budget committee.

One example was the need to transfer funds to the Ohio Department of Transportation for the city’s share of traffic signal upgrades planned for the city intersections along Ohio 7 as it runs through Belpre. Another example involves funds for slip repairs on Farson Street from Federal Emergency Management Agency funds provided to the city for the project.

In those two cases, the delay is basically procedural. Abdella said information on the specific line items involved was not available Monday so it will be added through an amendment for one of the upcoming readings of the ordinance.

Council also discussed a proposed ordinance that would involve conveying the deed of a 16-by-60 foot section of city property at the city’s northeastern end to the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority for conveyance to the adjacent property owner for development.

A question was raised by council about whether there was any monetary value to the property which the city might receive as opposed to simply turning it over for development. City Law Director Tom Webster said he would make arrangements for a meeting with the developer to answer that and any other questions prior to the next council meeting on Sept. 23.

Once the meeting is scheduled, it will be announced through the media and the city’s website, he said.

In other business, council approved the second reading of an ordinance to update the city’s code book with the changes and additions approved by council in the last year. One more reading will be held at a future council meeting.

Several committee meetings will be held in the coming weeks. The police and fire committee will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday to continue discussions on a proposed golf cart ordinance. The finance committee will meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 23 to discuss a proposed city impound yard ordinance and to complete discussions on the 2019 supplemental appropriations.